Lowrys reconstructed

AN ARTIST from Manchester painstakingly recreated replicas of two priceless Lowry oil paintings stolen at knife-point from his brother. Philippe Aird produced copies of the two works - entitled The Viaduct and The Tanker Entering the Tyne - so they could be used in a reconstruction of the terrifying raid on the BBC1 programme Crimewatch.

AN ARTIST from Manchester painstakingly recreated replicas of two priceless Lowry oil paintings stolen at knife-point from his brother.

Philippe Aird produced copies of the two works - entitled The Viaduct and The Tanker Entering the Tyne - so they could be used in a reconstruction of the terrifying raid on the BBC1 programme Crimewatch.

Four raiders escaped with more than £2m worth of works by Lowry from Ivan Aird's home in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, on May 3 after threatening to kill his two-year-old daughter, Sabrina.

Philippe, who runs Manchester's Phoenix Gallery in Castlefield, said he had also recreated Lowry's palette which was among the stolen works.

"For any artist, it is an odd thing to have to replicate another artist's work," he said.

"But, in all honesty, I was just pleased to be able to help. I'm just hoping now that some new leads come out of the show."

The reconstruction on Crimewatch on Monday evening showed how Ivan Aird's wife, Louise, 41 had opened the door to what she thought was the postman - before four knife- wielding raiders stormed in.

Ivan, 41, was then tied up before the men threatened their daughter with a knife.

The reconstruction also featured the two works by Philippe which were among the raiders' haul of 10.

A police spokesman said the programme had generated several lines of inquiry which were being followed up.

Salford-born L.S.Lowry was a friend of the Airds' parents and a regular Sunday visitor to their home in Cheadle.

Philippe was taught by Lowry as a child, although his work has since won international recognition in its own right.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 2482 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.